Forty years ago, the schools (or at least the Ontario elementary school that I attended) supplied everything that the students needed for their actual academic classes, including pencils and binders/duotangs, and back-to-school shopping was limited to things that were used outside of class (like backpacks) or required so much individual variation they couldn't be provided (like indoor shoes).

That went by the wayside at some point and should really be brought back . . . but that would require actually putting money into education at a time when putting it into health care is more urgent.

"Just reuse stuff from last year, go shopping at home" thanks Anne Arbour, I think I'll go shopping at work instead.

Biggest spending category, which is actually a bit of a surprise, is stationary.

I too am surprised that it is a spending category. Isn't keeping the kids stationary the teacher's problem?

For the budget conscious, perhaps some cheap stationery would occupy them enough to see them stay still?